Gaining Enlightenment
This title is misleading. We don’t “gain” enlightenment. Rather, the cosmic Self or presence wakes up to itself and we shed the personal me. Losing our sense of who we are may seem a major …
Category: Practice
The Possessed Self
The distinctions between aspects of self have been a regular topic here. The I-sense ego (Ahamkara) is that sense of being distinct, separate from others and objects of the world. This is my hand (self) …
Before Meditation
Readers of this blog know I recommend an effortless meditation as a foundational spiritual practice. This is because it cultures samadhi, the basis of Yoga. The repeated experience of pure consciousness reveals itself as our …
The Three Qualities of Consciousness
Recently, I saw reference to a talk by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi called “The Three Qualities of Transcendental Consciousness: Unboundedness, Bliss, and the Home of All Knowledge.” Transcendental Consciousness is another term for pure consciousness, consciousness …
The Impact of Emotions
Recently, I joined a research project designed to maximize quality of life during treatment. One component is biofeedback. The device maker framed various emotions by whether they depleted or renewed us and if this effect …
Where’s the Bliss?
Seems this is the topic of the month as I’ve come back to it again. Terms like sat chit ananda and nirvana refer to an established awakening. Both reference bliss, so bliss is clearly an …
On Anger
In correspondence, the topic of anger came up. Unresolved anger is a common issue for many, even if you’ve had a long practice. While the focus of this article is anger, the same principles are …
On Anxiety
I’ve written occasionally on anxiety as it’s so prevalent in Western society. They define anxiety as uneasiness and apprehension about the future. Fear of possible change. Anxiety tells us we’re resisting. Like worry, it shows …
Higher and Lower Knowledge
Shaunaka, a great householder, once approached Angiras in the prescribed manner and asked, “My Lord, what is that, knowing which, everything becomes known?” Angiras then said to him, “Two kinds of knowledge are to be …
Instructions to Students
In the 9th Anuvaaka of the Taittiriiya Upanishad, truthfulness and self-control have a priority, behind recitation of the Veda. In study, they consider recitation in Sanskrit the most important as it entrains you to the …
The Laundromat
I’ve spoken a great deal about healing and purification over the years. When we first take up a spiritual or healing practice, we gradually realize how we resist and contract and we learn to release. …
Filling The Void
North America has an obesity epidemic. They relate this to what people are eating and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. But these are not what is driving the issue. These are symptoms. Food is being used …